Pianist, Composer, Bandleader, Vocalist
“. . . the sound is all Swiggett’s: refined and confident, open and inviting.”
– All About Jazz
Pianist, Composer, Bandleader, Vocalist
biography
Jazz pianist and composer Nelda Swiggett has been active on Seattle’s music scene since the early 90’s. As a bandleader, she’s headlined at many of the Northwest’s top jazz venues, including the Seattle Jazz Fellowship, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Bumbershoot, the Bellevue Jazz Festival, and the Earshot Jazz Festival. Nelda is an award-winning composer and OA2 recording artist. Her five album releases have received rave reviews and extensive airplay around the globe. Nelda’s big band arrangements of her original music have been performed by Seattle’s nationally recognized Garfield High School Jazz Band, the Seattle Women’s Jazz Orchestra, and others. Nelda is also in demand as a solo pianist, side woman and jazz educator.
Upcoming Featured performances
Sunday, September 22. For the Birds featuring the Nelda Swiggett Quintet. Live music, images and poetry invite reflection on our changing climate. 4 – 5:30 pm. Debut performance at Edmonds United Methodist Church, 828 Caspers. Nelda Swiggett (piano, vocal, compositions), Clif Swiggett (trombone, percussion), Kate Olson (saxophone, flute), Chris Symer (bass), Adam Kessler (drums) and Jill McGrath (poetry).
Get Tickets
Facebook Event
Saturday, September 28. Clif & Nelda’s little BIG Band. Northwest Cellars. 5 – 7 PM. 11909 124th Avenue NE, Kirkland, WA 98034. Reservations. www.facebook.com/nwcella
Saturday, October 5. Clif & Nelda’s little BIG Band. Vashon Island Center For The Arts jazz concert series with bassist Bruce Phares. 1 – 3 pm. 19600 Vashon Hwy SW, Vashon, WA 98070.
Sunday, October 6. For the Birds featuring the Nelda Swiggett Quintet. Live music, images and poetry invite reflection on our changing climate. Seattle Jazz Vespers concert series. 6 – 8 pm. Seattle First Baptist Church. 1111 Harvard Avenue. Nelda Swiggett (piano, vocal, compositions), Clif Swiggett (trombone, percussion), Kate Olson (saxophone, flute), Chris Symer (bass), Adam Kessler (drums) Adam Kessler (drums) and Jill McGrath (poetry).
. Free. Goodwill offering requested.
“Swiggett has a unique touch…intensely appealing pianism…a voice with a depth similar to that of Abbey Lincoln…”
– Lofton A Emenari, WHPK 88.5 FM, Chicago
“…a stunning project…held together by the highly original mind of Ms. Swiggett.”
– JazzTimes
“… a bright palette, a sinewy execution and a powerful, assertive command… the sound is all Swiggett’s: refined and confident, open and inviting.”
– All About Jazz
“Jessica Jennifer Williams comes to mind…we are in that territory.”
– Wondering Sound Reviews
“Swiggett’s vocal delivery is satisfyingly to-the-point, and behaves only as one ingredient, equal to all others…”
– Midwest Record
“Her music is precise without being dry, clean without being dull, and light without being fluff. The sound is as clear, direct and crisp as the gaze of her piercing blue eyes.”
– Earshot Magazine
“Seattle based pianist Nelda Swiggett has a bright smooth swinging quality to her mainstream approach and a minimalist almost bare knuckles attitude. Her key strokes are bold and assertive, as if she knows exactly the direction of her music.”
– All Music Guide
videos & photos
David Lange Studios
Seattle Jazz Vespers
teaching
Nelda teaches private jazz piano lessons in Seattle and on Zoom. She also coaches student jazz combos at Seattle’s Jazz Night School, and is available for clinics, workshops and adjudications.